Buriram hang on to ACL hopes

Buriram hang on to ACL hopes

Thai Premier League champions Buriram United must get a result at South Korea’s Pohang Steelers in their last group match today to stand any chance of advancing in the AFC Champions League.

Buriram coach Bozidar Bandovic.

In the other Group E match, China’s Shandong Luneng host Cerezo Osaka of Japan.

Pohang have already qualified for the knockout stages on 11 points with the other three teams, who all have five points, vying for the other spot in the last-16 round.

Buriram are the best team in a mini-league between them and Shandong and Cerezo. However, Cerezo, led by Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, have a better record than Buriram in their head-to-head meetings.

Fate is in Osaka’s hands as they will advance with a win against Shandong. Buriram will progress if they win and Cerezo fail to win, or both earn draws.

Buriram coach Bozidar Bandovic said he believed his men, who reached the quarter-finals last season, were good enough to beat Pohang.

“We will face a stong team but I’m not worried about it,” he told yesterday’s press conference.

“If we play according to our tactics, then we have a chance to win.”

Buriram will be without defender Prathum Chuthong and striker Adisak Kraisorn who are both injured, while Anawin Jujeen and David Rochela need late fitness tests.

Buriram need a morale booster in the AFC Champions League as they have been struggling in the TPL this season with just three points above the relegation zone.

Pohang coach Hwang Sun Hong said although his team had advanced to the next round, they would give their all before their fans.

Pohang will be without captain Kim Tae Su and Kim Kwang Suk who are suspended.

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